Electric-welding jig



oration of ELEGTIR-IC-W'ELZDIKY'G (HG.

Application filed September 6,

Iii Z 017:; may concern:

ii -3c ii. sown that l, Josnrn W. Mnmow citizen of the United States, resid- 'ladelphia, Pennsylvania, have inccrtain new and useful Improvere the following to he at'ull, clear, and

.ription.

invention relates to improvements in welding jigs and has to do, more iculai ly, with jigs for use in assembling a l i" rically Welding together the parts of auton'iohile bodies and other sheet metal structures.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a durable and efficient jig for use in electrically Welding together the parts of metal structures.

.i 2= other object of my invention is to provide a jig for electrically Welding together the members of sheet metal structures of u'li a nature that the repai and replacw .ment of parts Worn down in the normal opthe machine is facilitated.

ih further object of my invention is to provide an electric welding having adjustahle Welding lugs or contacts which 1. y be individual y adjusted to the proper Working position as they are Worn down or displaced in the operation of the machine,

l-urther objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and opera ion will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, l accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the followin specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred emliiodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawiu 's, 'l'orminn a part of this specification. in which:

Fig. 'l is a view in side elevation oi an 3 is afidetail, sectional View, taken on line oi. 2, the connection of certain pa in the welding circuit. being illustrated disgrammat ally.

a is a transverse, sectional View ts in l5lectric-ll'elding Jigs, of which I Serial 7570. 538,410.

through the *ll of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

in the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In an electric welding jig, such as is disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,216,466, Joseph L(l\\llll 1l, assembling machine, February 20, 1917, portions of the frame, which receives and supports in assembled position the members or pieces to be Welded together, are constituted by copper conducting bars connected to one side of the transformer secondary and constituting one of the electrodes connected in the welding circuit. T he pieces to be united restdirectly on these copper conducting bars throughout their extent. ln the use of these machines, it. has been found that these conductor bars are apt to beworn down rather rapidly due to the heat generated by the many welding; operations to which they are subjected. As a result, the surfaces of these bars become, in time, pitted and uneven and it is necessary to replace them. This replacement requires the entire removal of the bar and the substitution of a new bar therefor. The bars re moved are useless for any purpose except remelting to reclaim the copper in them. This renders the repair or replacement of such parts of the welding jlQS a comparatively expensive matter, not o' hly because of the length of time during which it is necessary to Withdraw the Welding jig from duty, but also because of the necessity of replacing the entire conductor bar, even though it may only be worn at particular spots thereon. The purpose of my invention is to provide an electric welding whi h will not be subject to these difiiculties and in which the replacement or adjust- Inent of those portions of the conductor members, which the welding operations take place, may be easily and quickly ef- Welding jig, taken on the line fee/ted. It is among the special purposes of,

be made, which welding plugs or contacts may be individually adjusted with reference to the frame, as they are worn down, very quickly and easily, without withdrawing the jig from duty. Another feature of my invention is that any one of these welding plugs or contactsmay be replaced by a new one without disturbing or removing the other plugs or contacts of the machine. I propose to provide a framework which receives and supports in assembled position the sheet metal members to be united by electric welding and, at appropriate points in such framework, I propose to insert welding plugs, the outer ends of which normally are flush with and form a part of the supporting surface of the framework, so that the pieces to be united contact with such ends of the welding plug. I propose to -make these welding plugs of copper, or any other suitable material, preferably, one which has a higher electrical conductivity than the framework. These several welding plugs are connected to one side of the secondary of the welding transformer and I propose to accomplish this by adjustably connecting the inner ends of these plugs to conductor bars which, in turn, are connected to one side of the secondary of the welding transformer. The adjustable connection of these welding plugs with the conductor bars enables me to adjust the welding plugs as they become worn so as to bring the outer end once more into alignment with the supporting surface of the framework, and it also permits me to remove any one of these welding plugs without removing or disturbing the other plugs or the conductor bars. The electrical welding of the parts to he united is accomplished by the cooperation of a movable elcctrode, connected to the opposite side of the secondary welding trans-- former, with these welding plugs.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 have illustrated an electrical welding which constitutes one embodiment of my invention and which is now in use for welding together sheet metal panels to form an automobile tonncau. This jig comprises a framework, 10, which receives and supports the sheet metal mcmbcrs to be united, said framework having \iUiOUS supporting surfaces, such as 11, 1.2, and 13, which are shaped to the contour of the pieces to be united and with which said pieces contact. as shown in Fig. 3, for instance. In this particular welding the surfaces. 1.1, are shaped to receive and support the 'rear panel. A, and side panel, B, of an automobile hody tonneau. the edges of Which panels are lapped as shown in Fig. 3. The surface, 12, is shaped to support the flange at the edge of the wheel housing formed in the side panel, B, and the surface. 13, is shaped to contact with portions of the rear imeaeee panel, A, and the wheel housing portion of side panel, B, which overlap and are to be united at this point. At such places in the supporting surfaces of the framework as itis desired to weld the sheet metal members together. the holes or openings, let, are provided, in which the copper welding plugs, 15, are inserted. The outer ends of these welding plugs are, preferably, in line with the supporting surface in which they are inserted, so that such outer ends form substantially a part of the supporting surface. The inner ends of the several welding plugs, 15, are electrically connected to the secondary of the transformer by the conductor bars, 16, positioned at the inner side of the framework and into which the threaded inner ends, 17, of the welding plugs, 15, are screwed. This screw-thread connection between the welding plu l5, and the conductor bar, 16, permits the adjustment of the welding plug with reference to the conductor bar, so as to vary the position of the outer end of the plug with reference to the supporting framework in which it is inserted. The welding plug, 15, is locked in adjusted position by the nut, 18, screwed on the threaded end, 17, thereof and engaging the conductor bar, 16. The sei'cral conductor bars, 16, are connected by the leads, 20, with one side of the secondary of the welding transformer, 19. The cable, 22, of a movable electrode, 21. is connected to the opposite side of said secondary. The conductor bars, 16, are secured to the inner framework, 10. by means of the bolts, 23, as shown in Fig. 5. Various clamping devices, 24, are provided for clamping the sheet metal members to be united in assembled position on the framework,so that they will be held in such assembled position until they arc. cltwtrically welded together.

The operation of this electric weldingjig is apparent from the foregoing description.

.lVhcn the member to be united arc clamped on the framework, the inner surface of one of said'mcmbers contacts with the outer ends of the welding plugs. 15, as shown in Fig. 3. lVhen the electrode, 21, is brought in contact with the other of the said members. as shown in Fig. 3. the welding circuit is completed between the plug, '15, and the electrode. 21, through the pieces to be united. and such pieces are welded together by the heat generated by the passage of the welding current and the pressure applied by the operator through the movable electrode, 21. 'hcn the welding is in usc. many welding op crations are repeatedly performed at each of the welding plugs, 15, and these welding operations tend to wear away the outer end of the plug. so that after the lapse of some time it would lie below the surrounding supporting surface. When this takes place, the

ll l

Linnaeus connecl ion the conduclor bar, 16, the

' plug will be advanced 14, bring its outer end into alignmentwill! the supporting surface. 11% necesearyfl outer end of die plug may be'dressed off a present a smooth surface free from iinperfei'stion and then adiusied to tbe desired level. will). respect to the supporting surface. lit will. be noted entire welding plug me be renewed by unscrewing ill-e nut, 18, and. unscrewing the plug from the conductor bar, 16. This may be done. without removing or dieurbing the conductor bar or any of ibe oibor weldiu plugs. it is obvious that this renewal or Weldinglplugs may be made Whenever the weldingplug has worn down so far chat further usltment is impossible due to the length of the thread.

It will be evident that ill: construction makes it very simple aiid easy to adjust and remove the several weldingplugs so bnat. they may be kept in perfect condition for welding. This electrical welding l3 therefore veryefl'eclive inasmuch as it ie a simple matter to keep it in such condition. that the very best weldsniay be made onit li yinvention coneists, essentially, in. the ciupurvineul: of a plurality of welding plugs carried by or inserted in the supporting: frame of die jig: and electrically connected in the welding circuit. 'llicse plugs may be councciod in the welding circuit in any dcsired manner but ibe particular conslruo lion illustrated, in which the plugs are screwed info the conducting bar, is particularly desirable because of the convenience with which the plugs may be renewed or replaced or adjusted. My invention is, or course, independent of the particular shape oi'rtbe supg'iorling framework or surfaces and all'liough l: have shown it embodied in a jig for welding together sheet metal panels to make an automobile lionneau, it may aleo be embodied in jigs for uniting by electric welding other parts of an automobile body.

or, in fact, in. jigs -for electrically welding togcl'bcr the parts of any sheet metal structure whatsoever.

I am aware that the particular welding jig illustrated in-tlie accompanying drawing may be changed. consideraoly i'thout departing' from spii itwoi my invention and, therefore, l claim my invention broad l as indicated by be appended claims.

Having/{bus described my invention, what I claim new and useful and desire to secure by Lelaters Patent is:

'1. An electric Welding comprising a frame supporting in assembled position line;

members to be welded togeiher, welding plugs cz'lrricd by said frame at the points at which it is desired to make electric welds in the said. members, a movable eleccrode,

and means connecting said "welding plugs and electrode in a welding circuit.

2. An electric welding jig comprising a frame supporting in assembled position the members to be welded together, spaced welding plugs carried by said frame, a tram former, means connecting said plugs to one side of the secondary of said transformer, a movable electrode, and means connecting said-electrode lo the opposite side of the transformer secondary.

3. An electric welding jig comprising a frame supporting in assembled position the members to be Welded together, a plurality of spaced Welding plugs carried by said 89 frame, said plugs having a higher electrical conductivity than the frame, a movable elecfrrode, and means'for connecting said weldplugs and electrode in a welding circult.

4-. An electric welding ji comprising a frame supporting in assembled position the members to be welded togelhena plurality Of spaced, copper welding plugs carried by said frame, a movable electrode, and means connec'ri'ng said Welding plugs and electrode in a Welding circuit.

5. An electric welding jig comprising a frame receiving and supporting in assembled position the members to be welded togetlier, a plurality of welding plugs inserted in said frame with their ends forming a part of the supporting surface of said frame, amovable electrode, and means for connecting said plugs and electrode in a welding circuit.

An electric welding jiglcomprising a frame for receiving and supporting in -assembled position ihe members to be Welded together, a plurality of welding plugs in- 165 sorted in said frame with their outer ends positioned to form a part of the supporting surface of said frame, said plugs having a higher electrical conductivity than the frame, a movable electrode, and means for connecting said plugs and electrode in a welding circuit.

7. In an electric welding jig, a jig frame 1 member having a plurality of spaced weldinc plugs of relatively high electrical con- H ducti'vily inserted therein.

8. An electric welding jig comprising e' frame receiving and supporting in assembled position the members to be welded together, means for clamping said members against one or more surfaces of said frame,

a conductor barconnected in a Welding circuit and positioned adjacent the inner surface of suid franxgand welding plugs electrically-connected with Said conductor bar and projecting through the frame, the ends of said plugs being exposed at the outer surface of the frame so that the members to be united will contact therewith.

9,. An electric welding jig comprising a 139 frame receiving and supporting in assembled position the members to he welded together. a plurality of welding plugs ins rted in said, frame and adjustable with reference there to, the ends of said plugs being exposed at the outer surface of the frame so that said members may contact therewith, a movable electrode, and means tor connecting said welding; plugs and electrode in a welding: circuit.

ll). Btu electric Welding jig comprising a frame receiving and supporting in semhlcd position the members to be welded together, means for clamping said members against one or more surfaces i said irame. a conductor har connetted in. a welding circuit and positioned adjacent the inner surface of said frame, welding plugs screwed.

into said conductor bar and projecting through the :lran'ie, the ends of said plugs being: exposed at the outer surface of the frame so that the members to be united ma coutuct tlugrewith, and a movable electrode connected in the Welding circuit and cooperatingwith said welding plugs.

ll. An electric welding jig comprising a l'rame receiving and supporting in assembled position the members to be welded together, means for clzunpin said members against one or more surfaces of said frame, a conductor hatconnected in :1 Welding cir cuit and positioned adjacent the inner sur face of said frame, welding plugs screwed into said conductor bar and projecting through the frame, the ends of said plugs being exposed at the outer surface of the frame so that the members to be united may contact therewith, nuts screwed on the inner threaded ends of said plugs and engaging the conductor bar, and a movable electrode connected in the welding circuit and cooperating with said welding plug.

12. An electric welding jig comprising; a frame receiving and stnaporting in assembled position the members to be welded together and having a plurality o'l openings, Welding plugs of relatively high electrical conductivity positioned in said openings, means for electrically connecting the inner ends of said plugs in a welding; circuit, and a movable electrode connected in the welding circuit and adapted to he brought into contact with the memh to be united at any one of said plug whereby the welding current will pass he 1 the plug and electrod through the pie he united.

l3. ltn ole ctr. v.elding' jlj" comprisinp :1 frame receiving, and supporting" the members to be welded together in tssemhled position and having a plurali of openings therein, Welding plugs of relatively high. electrical conductivity positioned in said openings, a transformer, a conductor har connecting the inner ends of said plugs with one side of r the secondary of said transformer, and

raise,

movable electrode connected to the opposite side "of said sccoudury zuul adapted to he.

broughtiuto contact with the members t lI lt'tg and electrode through the parts to in united.

li [in electric melding jig conijn-isinu' It l ranie receiving and support inc in assmnhlr-d position the memhers to he welded tog-ether. clai'npingj devi es cu e lug said n'ieinhers to clamp the some in ihlcd position, said frame havin a plural! of openings therein, welding plugs ol' relativ ly high electrical conductivity inserted in said opening; a transformer, means electrically (Olli'it mg; the inner ends of said plugs to one side or the transformer secondary, and :1. movable electrode connected to the opposite side oi said secondary and adapted to he brought into contact with the l'uemhers to he united at. any one of said plugs, whereby the wel .l ing current will pass between the plug and electrode, through the members to he united.

l5. An electric welding jig comprising a frame receiving and supporting in enlhlod position the members to he welded together, metal pieces of higher electrical 14mtltl fcl'l'lty than the l'rnnte inserted therein, movable electrode, and means l'or colu'u lug said pita-cs Ltilfi electrode in a welding circuit.

it; in an electric welding j e .t'isluoportlug; frame memher {or the Pltl'lS to he ed, in combination with a plurality ot r. ing plugs carried. by said frame member :ll'ltl individually adjustable therein, 22, cooperating; n'ioruhle electrode, and means to connect said pluggs and electrode in a Weldim); circuit.

t7. win an electric weldingjig, a frame l;ll-Illl)( \l, having a norlt supporting surt'ace, a \vc-ldiru, plu mi itia-stably mounted in said frame member and extendin tllerethrough to he llush. with soul work (importing surl'xce, a COUPBl'tltlIg' i'no'raole electrode, and means to connect said plug and electrode in a welding Cll't it.

is. .ln an clot-t2: frame member having a wort: supporting surface, a pluralityct individual adjustable welding plugs mounted in said frame member to extend therethrough to the work supporting surt'ece thereof, a c operating movahle electrode and means to connect said plugs and electrode in tt \Ytlt'lllQ c' 5 't.

li in an electric welding; a frame nit-inherhaving a work supp rting sun lace, one or more indepcrdentl rcmot'ahle welding p ugs ndis through said incinhcr to said surface, a cooperating; movable electrode and means to connect said elec- 1 vi weuh ug 'trodc and plugs in a welding circuit.

one or more iiu'lependently adjustable Wcldion ing plugs extending through said member to said surface, u cooperating movable electrode, and means to connect said electrode and plugs in u welding circuit.

21. An electric welding jig including a frame member having e work supporting surface and welding plugs curried by said frame member and normally lying flush with said surface all; the points where welds are 10 to be 1nade,/said plugs being individually adjustable, ahd a cooperating movuhle electrode.

22. An electric welding fig for spot-welding comprising a frame adapted to support in assemhled position the members to he which plugsere of relatively high electrical eonductivis'y and define by {heir projectingenlls lhe locations of lthe welding spots.

5. An GlQ('ftl'-J-l(, fixture for spot Welding eompriFiug un elongated conductor bar and :1 plurality of welding plugs adopted to umlowelding contact with their ends, can rierl by said bar and adjustable vertically with respect 1'0 the face thereof.

In trestin'io'uy whereof I alli'x my signature.

JOSEPH W. MEADONCROFT. 

